Saints Scouting Report: Glenn Dorsey

Saintsinsider.com staff

04/10/2008

Each day leading up to the NFL Draft, Saintsinsider.com will break down a player that the New Orleans Saints may be interested in on draft day. Today it's LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. Find out his vitals, his college statistics, what our Scout.com personnel guru Tom Marino thinks of him and Matthew Postins' thoughts on how Dorsey could fit in with the Saints.

Glenn Dorsey

POSITION: Defensive tackle.

MEASURABLES: 6-foot-2, 297, 5.12 in the 40 (did not work out at combine).

COLLEGE CAREER: Despite the fact that he spent just about his entire senior season battling some type of injury, Dorsey still managed to record 69 tackles (39 solos), with a career-high seven sacks for minus 45 yards and 12.5 stops for losses of 53 yards. He was also credited with four quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and three pass deflections.

PROJECTED AS: As a Top 5 pick and immediate starter for whichever team drafts him — so long as his injury issues are behind him.

ARE THE SAINTS INTERESTED: The Saints have had the advantage of watching Dorsey the past few years in Baton Rouge, so they would know his ability better than most. They're probably sorry that they don't have a Top 5 pick this year, as defensive tackle is a position that they need to address.

DRAFT VALUE: Rumors circulated that he had a fractured right leg at the combine. But he received a clean bill of health at his pro day, performed well and appears to be locked in as a Top 5 pick.

SCOUT.COM'S TOM MARINO'S ANALYSIS: A top prospect who converts quickness to power. Can split a double team, has range to make plays and when he countered on his pass rush was virtually impossible to single block. Loved his intensity level, quickness, strength and know-how. Strong at the point and showed good movement down the line. Took good angles away and has the speed and quicks to factor outside the tackle box. A difference maker.

WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE SAYING:

"(In comparing Dorsey to former NFL DT Warren Sapp): While both have made a nice living off their explosive initial step, Dorsey does not have the same game-changing ability Sapp displayed during the prime of his career. Let's face it, Dorsey is a good sanitation man (takes out the trash by handling multiple blockers, thus freeing a teammate up to make the play), but if statistics tell the true story, he had just 13 sacks, 27 stops for losses and seven quarterback pressures in 51 collegiate games. While we will follow the party line that he could develop into another Sapp, he also could be a clone of a former LSU Tiger, Anthony McFarland." — NFLDraftscout.com

"Dorsey is tough, competitive and disruptive — as a pass rusher and run stuffer. He will be an impact player and make game-changing plays when his team needs them the most." — Sportingnews.com War Room.

MATTHEW POSTINS' BOTTOM LINE: Let's face it. It's very likely Dorsey won't be there when the Saints select at No. 10. For his kind of talent, you don't really have to have a need at the position to make that selection. But, for the sake of argument, let's consider if Dorsey is there at No. 10. To me, that's a slam-dunk pick for the Saints. Sure, they need a corner, but there are plenty of talented corners available in the second round. Same goes for linebacker, another position of need. Dorsey could be a game-changing force immediately for this defense, and that's what it sorely needs after a poor season defensively (No. 26 in the NFL). It's rare to get a tackle that can help against the run and the pass, and Dorsey can do that. He can join the tackle rotation immediately and make an impact, especially against the run where his ability to take on two blockers could open doors for linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. You have to like the fact that he played hurt most of 2007 during LSU's title march, and for that reason whichever team drafts him may need to take it easy on him during the offseason to allow his body to continue to recover. But if he's healthy in September, he could be a beast.

You can read more of Matthew Postins' coverage of the New Orleans Saints at saintsinsider.com.